Jul 4th Run: Coffee Tree at Bakery Sq, Jul 5th Run Coffee Tree in Squill

On Sunday July 4th Roye will lead a preview run starting at the new Coffee Tree at Bakery Square (the old Nabisco building). Since many of us will be out of town, she agreed to host the "real" run later in July.

Monday, July 5th being a holiday, there will be a run starting at 7:30 AM from the Coffee Tree in Squirrel Hill - destination to be determined by whoever shows up.

There is no way around it - today's run was a bear (nod to Elaine who is going to Alaska soon) - hot, humid, sweaty, energy draining, despite being a flatish route through the strip and along the river that we all enjoy. We lost runners along the way despite a break to walk a bit up hill to the 31st bridge.There were diversions such as the TRRA rowers rowing smooth long strokes and the Mega Bus stop but mostly it was all about getting back to La Prima for coffee, which thanks to us running more slowly than usual, was open. Pam Murray treated us to cheese cake, still some of us could not resist those meles. It was pleasant for sitting outside and watching the Strip gear up for another shopping day - it was busier than usual.

June 27 run - Strip and environs from parking lot at 21st and Liberty

Elaine will lead the next run, one of our favorites, from the Strip over to Herr's Island and back on the North Side, ending at La Prima for coffee. Hopefully I'll remember to contact Sam Patti about making sure the almond meles are there in time.

Our run today was another old favorite through Schenley Park, starting at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead, and fortunately including Wendy Bennett herself back from a bad laryngitis episode. The warm and heavy air made running a bit hard but also gave us vivid green views with sunlight slanting through the trees. Coffee had us back at the new place on Forbes (formerly Arefa's) where we now found more to admire and of course, discuss. Zoning was key, as was Scotland, journalism, alternatives to war, and moving, and I think in that order.

June 19 run: Wendy Bennett Trailhead

Those of us left at coffee could not make up our minds about next week, partly because several of us won't be in town so I arbitrarily picked the Schenley Park run. Meet at the Wendy Bennett Trailhead aka trail entrance near the corner of Bartlett and the Boulevard. Since all of us are familiar with the route,  who ever feels like leading can do so. If someone had a better idea send it to the group.

This morning's run was about as good as it could have been on such a hot, muggy morning. We stayed in Shadyside so there were houses and gardens to provide momentary distractions from our sweat. Although it seemed like a flat run, our route home on Ellsworth told the real story - we ran slightly downhill on the way out but uphill on the return - which normally would not have been very noticeable but given the conditions, felt like we were climbing mountains (or at least foot hills). Tom even broke off and led a contingent on a short cut across a parking lot - which for Tom, strong believer in the rules of the run, was a desperate move ;-) We did get to check out the new Bakery Square complex. Looks like there will be a very spacious Coffee Tree space which we will check out once it opens.

Speaking of coffee we tried the new coffee place across from the Coffee Tree (old space, new management). It poses a difficult choice -  the espresso is got high marks and the outside seating is sheltered but of course we have a long history with Coffee Tree. We may have to split weeks.

June 13 run: Mellon Park at 5th and Beechwood for a Shadyside run

Thanks to Virginia for the Sunday report - After Dave's bird walk was cancelled due to tornado warnings, Teri, Dave and I decided to stay closer to home. Glad to hear you had enough cars for the return.

Here's Sunday's report. I'm not aware of anyone suggesting a run for next week, June 13, so if no one else comes up with a route, I can lead a run in Shadyside. Flat run, starting at the Mellon Park parking lot on Fifth Ave., at the end of Beechwood Blvd.

  

  We had a collection of adventurous souls turn out under threatening skies this morning, with 5 of us running to the run and three others -- Tom, Carol and Cheryl -- meeting us at the PPG Plaza fountain to start the water-themed run. With the Point State Park fountain turned off until 2011, we took a tour of 15 other fountains around Downtown, at Station Square, and next to PNC Park on the riverwalk. Some of them were on, some were off, and one was hidden in a building. Our tour also included soda fountains and the water fountains at Tom's office. We didn't exactly get the view we were expecting of  the Andrew Carnegie inflatable in the middle of the Allegheny River. Apparently overnight they moor it along the walkway in front of PNC park, so it was a sad sight with his face partially submerged under water.